The Justice Department sued Maryland on October 1, 2026, challenging a state law and ordinances in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties that address law-enforcement officers’ face coverings and identification. The case is United States v. Maryland, No. 1:26-cv-04110-JRR, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The filing is the federal government’s challenge—not a court ruling that the laws are invalid.
What the lawsuit challenges
The complaint names Maryland, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County as defendants. It challenges three provisions: Maryland Public Safety §§ 3-207, 3-535, and 3-536, enacted as SB-1; Prince George’s County Code § 18-124; and Montgomery County Code § 35-13E. DOJ says the provisions apply to federal officers as well as other law-enforcement officers.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The complaint describes rules concerning face coverings and officer identification, but the provisions and their exceptions differ by jurisdiction. They should not be treated as one uniform statewide-and-county rule. The dates below are those recited in the federal complaint:
| Jurisdiction | Provision | Effective date stated in complaint |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Public Safety §§ 3-207, 3-535, and 3-536 (SB-1) | October 1, 2026; the complaint says the law was passed April 13 and signed May 26, 2026. |
| Prince George’s County | County Code § 18-124 | April 29, 2026. |
| Montgomery County | County Code § 35-13E | May 7, 2026. |
The complaint cites each provision and describes their requirements and exceptions. It does not make the provisions interchangeable; the exact rule an officer faces depends on the law and jurisdiction involved.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.3 layers face mask -It's made of 3 layers fabric.
- 2.comfortable elastic earloop,soft ear loops eliminate pressure to the ears.
- 3.Made of non-woven fabric
- 4.Black disposable face mask
- 5.Package include 100pcs,please confirm carefully when placing an order.
Why DOJ says the laws are unlawful
The United States argues that the laws directly regulate the federal government’s conduct and therefore violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and the related doctrine of intergovernmental immunity. In DOJ’s view, states and counties cannot dictate what federal officers wear or require of them while carrying out federal duties. That is the government’s legal theory in this case, not a ruling by the court.
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said in DOJ’s October 1 announcement that “states and localities do not have the authority to regulate the Federal Government.” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate likewise said that the federal government decides what equipment its officers may wear on official duty. These are statements of the administration’s position, not judicial findings.
Rank #2
- ✔Notice that this is Non-medical KN95 face masks.Breathable KN95 face masks are made of two layers of non-woven cloth, two layers of melt-blown fabric, one layer of hot air cotton.
- ✔The 3D structure is designed according to the human face shape to ensure the tightness and safety. With soft elastic stretchable ear loop,which helps eliminate pressure on the ears for comfortable experience. Adjustable nose clip can help the mask perfectly attach onto your face.The four sides join tightly to the face; Hence, the protective mask KN95 avoids unfiltered air directly entering into.
- ✔Application:Keep your mouth, nose and chin covered and protected when you go to crowded public places and enclosed public spaces. This KN95 masks are good for transport drivers, taxi drivers, media reporters, couriers, etc.Which can be applied in home, office, school, park, playground, indoors, outdoors and more congested and busy public places.
- ✔A lightweight and foldable design makes these face masks easy to fold into your bag, easy to incorporate and save space. Our breathable face mask KN95 can greatly improve the permeability, and to make wearing and exhaling more comfortable.They are a great choice to take along when you will be among people and want to stay safe.
- Disclaimer: “This KN95 mask is NOT an N95 mask. For more information about KN95 masks please see the following before you purchase: amazon.com/AboutKN95s”
What DOJ is asking the court to do
The complaint asks the court to declare the challenged provisions invalid and to enjoin their enforcement. The October 1 announcement and complaint establish that DOJ requested this relief; they do not establish that the court granted it. The reviewed materials also do not show a merits ruling in the Maryland case.
DOJ’s announcement says that it has brought similar litigation elsewhere and that each court to rule so far on mask-ban or identification claims granted preliminary relief. That is DOJ’s summary of other cases; it is not an outcome in this Maryland lawsuit.
Rank #3
- 50 MEDICAL-GRADE PROCEDURE FACE MASKS — FDA Cleared, ASTM Level 3, 3-ply ear loop design for everyday and clinical use. Latex-free, single-use disposable.
- ADVANCED FLUID PROTECTION: Resists splashes and droplets at 160 mmHg — the highest fluid-resistance level used in medical settings. Protects your nose and mouth from sprays, sneezes, and contaminants.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILTRATION: Blocks more than 98% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns AND more than 98% of airborne bacteria. Independently tested per ASTM F2100-19 by a U.S. lab.
- COMFORTABLE FOR ALL-DAY WEAR: Soft inner lining, gentle elastic ear loops, and a flexible nose wire that conforms to your face. No latex, no irritating materials — designed for hours of comfortable wear.
- MADE IN THE USA: Manufactured in our California facility by Hygenix Health Solutions LLC. FDA-cleared as a Class II medical procedure mask (510(k) K232797), independently tested by a U.S. lab — full reports available on request. Non-sterile, single-use.
What the filing does—and does not—establish
- Established by the filings: The United States filed the case in federal court in Maryland on October 1, 2026, and named state and county defendants.
- At issue: One Maryland law and two county-code provisions concerning face coverings and identification, with differing requirements and exceptions.
- Alleged by DOJ: The measures improperly regulate federal officers and raise operational and safety concerns. The complaint’s claims about threats, harassment, and operational consequences are allegations, not independently established prevalence figures.
- Not established by the reviewed filings: That the court has invalidated the laws, entered an injunction, or resolved the dispute on the merits.
The complaint also reproduces a May 12, 2026 letter in which Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown told Governor Wes Moore that he believed a court would likely find application of SB-1’s face-covering ban or identification requirement to federal law enforcement unconstitutional. Brown’s assessment predates the lawsuit and is not a court decision.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS — Meets ANSI Z87.1 (US), CE EN166 (Europe), CSA Z94.3 (Canada), UKCA (United Kindom)
- IMPACT RESISTANCE (AT EXTREME TEMPERATURE) - Made of extrusion-grade polycarbonate, our face shields can withstand the impact of a 6 mm steel bead traveling at a speed of 268 MPH at extremes of temperatures (from -23°F to +122°F).
- IMPACT RESISTANCE (AT ROOM TEMPERATURE) - Tested hundreds of times in the lab, our face shields can withstand impact of 6mm steel ball traveling at a speed of 300 MPH easily.
- BEST OPTICAL QUALITY - Tested by ANSI Z87.1 (All Optical Requirements are PASSED) and CE EN 166 (CLASS 1 Optical Level is PASSED).
- ALUMINUM REINFORCED EDGE - Aluminum edge Increases the Strength of Visor, and allows user to adjust a suitable curve for working.
Rank #4
- 3D Design: According to the human face, the 3D shape is designed with ergonomic to ensure the face mask can completely tights around face, mouth, nose and chin. You never need to worry about fogging your glasses and the Inserted nose clip falling off.
- Lightweight:These KN95 face mask use skin-friendly non-woven and melt blown fabric, no irritation to your skin, High-elastic ear loops and adjustable nose clip to ensure a comfortable fit and no strain of ears.
- Multiple Protection:High level breathing protection, filter efficiency pm2.5 , breathable fabric, suitable for all seasons. Provides several times the protection of disposable masks, so you can rest assured whether you are at home, office, school, park, playground, shopping mall or other places.
- Disclaimer: This KN95 mask is NOT an N95 mask. For more information about KN95 masks please see the following before you purchase: amazon.com/AboutKN95s.
- KN95 face masks made in China (not in US).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
